Atrophy of Love: Mr. Harris, Stop Fooling Around! novel Chapter 70

Charles glanced at him sideways. “Did your PE teacher teach you language? You can’t differentiate rationality from cruelty?”

“The person who always got first place from the bottom for language doesn’t have the right to say this about me.” Zachary raised his leg to kick him, but he was interrupted by a casual sentence from Charles.

“This outfit cost 120,000 bucks. Friendship price—one kick is two thousand. When you’re done kicking, put it on my card. It’s okay if you forgot my card number. I’ll get my assistant to send it to your phone.”

Zachary retracted his leg lightning fast. “The face of a capitalist sure is hideous.”

Charles did not mind him.

“But really. Ms. Jones thinks too much. It’s better if you take some precautions.” Charles lamented. “I’ve fallen into the traps she set quite a few times, but I had no way to accuse her… In short, it’s difficult to put into words.”

The corners of Charles’ mouth lifted. “Don’t compare your low IQ to mine.”

“Charles Harris.” Zachary picked up the coffee. “Will you die if you don’t attack me personally?”

Charles said lightly, “I won’t die. I’ll just be a little uncomfortable.”

“…” The fragrance of coffee spread all around. Zachary blew at it and took a sip. “This coffee’s not bad. Leaving it here with you is a waste. I’ll bring it with me in a while.”

Charles acknowledged it, unconcerned. “There are still a few jars at home. If you like it, take it all.”

“It’s not too late to take it after I finish the drink.” Zachary put his coffee down under his distasteful gaze and said curiously, “How exactly did Sophia provoke you two years ago that it’s not enough that you broke her leg and sent her to prison? Why do you still want her to remain at Dream Club?”

Light flashed in Charles’ eyes. He glanced at Zachary. “Want to know?”

Zachary nodded. “I’m a little curious.”

“Then stay curious.” Charles recrossed his leg over the other. He lowered his head to tug at his tie, and his eyebrows were almost imperceptibly wrinkled.

“… You really are a cruel man.” Zachary picked up the gold-rimmed spectacles on the coffee table, rubbed them, and put them back on. “Charles, it’s enough to hit close to the mark. Leaving her a way out is good for both you and her.”

It was unknown what Charles was thinking of, but he snorted slightly. “Aunt and Uncle asked you to beg for mercy on Sophia’s behalf?”

“Guess so.” Zachary massaged the center of his brows and said helplessly, “And that silly sweet mentee of mine. She’s at my ear all day babbling about how Sophia is so pitiful. When she found out you and I are friends, she begged me to ask for mercy for her.”

Charles lowered his eyes. Sunlight streamed in from behind him. Half his face was hidden in shadow, so his expression was not clear.

Seeing this, Zachary said, “I was only saying it simply to complete the assignment my parents and mentee gave me. Do what you want. I won’t intervene. It’s just—”

He stretched his tone. His gaze fell on Charles’ body.

“Hm?”

“Recently, Marie told me some interesting things about you and Sophia.” Zachary pushed up his glasses. “Charles, I see the situation clearer as a bystander. I personally suggest you don’t overdo things, or it’ll be too late to regret in the future.”

Charles smiled and disagreed. “You shouldn’t be a lawyer. Become a relationship coach instead or do MLM. You have a way with words.”

“If you don’t listen to a brother’s words, you’ll suffer in the days to come.” Zachary clicked his tongue. He shook the coffee powder and headed for the door. “I’m leaving now.”

When the door closed, Charles lifted his brows slightly. His lean fingers tapped the coffee table a few times.

Regret?

“Tiff has been looking for me again these past few days. Since Will has gotten engaged, she doesn’t know when Leah as the little sister can form a family too.” Yvette had a small appetite for dinner and put down her utensils after just a few mouthfuls.

Charles’ throat worked as he swallowed the food in his mouth. He lifted a tissue to wipe some indiscernible oil stains at the corner of his mouth. “The Jones really don’t sit still even for a moment.”

“What do you have in mind, then?” Yvette smiled as she asked.

Charles leaned back on his chair. “Don’t you dislike Leah?”

“But the Jones family leaked the news that Leah got hurt for you two years ago and even got the media to imply that our two families will be connected through marriage.

“If you don’t marry her, the Jones family can work the angle and leak that you broke off the marriage because you disparaged Leah for hurting her legs. It’ll be hard to prevent a change in Harris Corporation’s stock prices. Losing a few hundred million will be the best outcome. Losing a billion or two will also be fairly normal.

“Generally speaking, it’s just losing some money, and the Harris family doesn’t have to mind about this much money, but in the bigger picture, Grandfather is already over 80 years old.

“He has always favored Uncle and the others. If you let the company suffer a loss because of some insignificant matter again, I’m afraid the will that has been written will go through some changes,” said Yvette.

Hearing this, Charles’s eyes darkened. “You think marriage is an insignificant matter?”

“If you don’t have anybody you like, then it is an insignificant matter.” Yvette got Aunt Zelda to get her a bowl of soup. She then sipped on it.

Charles’ fingers fell on the dining table. He began tapping it unconsciously.

Seeing his reaction, Yvette laughed lightly. “What do you mean by not saying anything? Is there someone you like?”

“You don’t have to sound me out. If I liked Sophia, I would’ve gotten engaged to her two years ago,” said Charles.